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March 11, 2010 - Some Whole Foods and Frontier Natural Products spices have
been recalled due to possible salmonella contamination of
pepper included in the products.

Salmonella contamination of salami products that sickened over 249 people in
44 states has been traced to red and black pepper used in the salami. But
salami isn't the only product that used the contaminated spices.

After finding salmonella in unopened pepper samples, the FDA has asked
manufacturers to recall products that used certain lots of peppers from the
Mincing Overseas Spice company and the Wholesome Spice Company.

Those recalls now have worked their way down to spices sold on grocery
shelves. The retail products recalled today include certain lots of:

The FDA says it began an investigation of the spice industry in the spring
of 2009. This "farm-to-table" risk profile "focuses on microbiological
contaminants and filth issues related to spices," according to an FDA news
release.

Salmonella can cause symptoms of fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody),
nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases
the bacteria get into the bloodstream and cause extremely serious infections.
But even when this is not the case, salmonella is particularly dangerous for
young children, frail or elderly people, or people with immune suppression.

People who get these symptoms after consuming Italian sausage products or
any of the other recalled products should immediately seek professional health
care.